Describes an engineering course for education and other nonscience majors. In this course, students integrate basic principles of applied physical science and engineering to solve authentic design problems. Discusses the nature of the interactive and problem-based instructional format and its effects on developing students' scientific inquiry…

This article describes "Thinking Actively in a Social Context," a multiphase model to assist in the development of problem-solving courses based on student needs and experiences. An example of such an interdisciplinary course (simulating a new settlement on another planet) for high ability children in grades five, six, and seven is detailed. (DB)

The University of Calgary medical school revised its curriculum based on the way patients present to physicians. The curriculum defines 120 clinical presentations; describes appropriate clinical behavior of a graduating physician for each presentation; and specifies the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by the graduate for clinical…

A proposed problem-based course in clinical diabetes therapy at a pharmacy school is outlined. The interdisciplinary course requires students to develop or reformulate declarative and procedural knowledge in such a way that students' cognitive strategies are enhanced. Several sample clinical cases are appended. (MSE)

This article discusses "Family Secrets," a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum module that focuses on the bioethical implications of genetic testing. In high school biology classrooms throughout New York State, students are using "Family Secrets" to learn about DNA testing; Huntington's disease (HD); and the ethical, legal,…

The population of the United States continues to become increasingly diverse, both culturally and linguistically. The increased diversity creates a challenge for middle school teachers as they are required not only to teach their content areas, but also to assist students learning English, including literacy skills. The majority of teachers at all…

In a study of intermediate level college economics courses, achievement levels of students taught by a problem-centered approach were compared with achievement levels of students taught by traditional lecture and discussion methods. Experimental students did no better than the control students. Additional research is suggested. (Author/DB)

Reports on the views on problem-solving developed by prospective elementary teachers as a result of experiencing problem-centered learning in an integrated math-science methods course. Discusses four assertions related to students' attitudes toward problem-solving, their knowledge of problem-solving and problem-solving processes, and the role of…

Discusses gardening as an appropriate theme for problem-based learning activities that are interdisciplinary, and suggests related resources for library media specialists. Highlights include gardening in the research literature; resources from ERIC, including specific program descriptions; books; Web sites; 4-H programs; and butterfly gardens.…

On the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountain range in Washington State, high school biology students have a unique opportunity to study the elusive cougar ("Felis concolor"), a large cat native to the area. Nestled in the Cascade foothills is the city of Cle Elum, a small rural community that is expected to soon experience considerable…

This paper describes a pedagogical technique employed for an interdisciplinary course on Cold War America. Students had to "become" a fictional person and discuss how political and social changes during the Cold War era would have impacted that person. By doing a semester-long project that required primary source research, this…

Higher learning organizations frequently offer courses isolated from other disciplines or areas of concentration. The intent of this study was to explore collaboration practices on authentic based projects involving two distinct courses from differing programs: Instructional Technology and Educational Leadership. This paper describes the…

Understanding the relevance of basic science knowledge in the determination of patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment is critical to good medical practice. One method often used to direct students in the fundamental process of integrating basic science and clinical information is problem-based learning (PBL). The faculty facilitated small…

This paper discusses the development of concept maps for an entire veterinary curriculum, for each of the planned courses, and for each of the case-based exercises in each course, drawing on current efforts at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) to develop an integrated curriculum for use in a problem-based…

Use of problem-based learning in a large upper-division general education class at McMaster University (Canada) provides opportunities for students to identify and practice skills for inquiry into societal problems and solutions. Classroom techniques and processes preserve the essence of problem-based learning despite the fact that the class is…